Scholarship Programs

Information about scholarships and application materials can be found at the respective foundations. At the University of Potsdam, there are advisory services offered by the Central Student Advisory Service and the liaison lecturers. We recommend that you contact students who are currently receiving funding, perhaps via the liaison lecturers.

If you have any questions on the subject of “Studying with a scholarship”, please feel free to contact the Central Student Advisory Service at studienberatunguuni-potsdampde. If you wish, we will also try to put you in touch with scholarship holders of specific foundations. In our experience, direct contact between current scholarship holders and applicants for a scholarship is a good way to get answers.

If you have already made the decision to apply for a scholarship with a specific foundation, you can, of course, also get in direct contact with those responsible for scholarship applications at the respective foundation (see the foundation links below). The foundations’ websites usually also provide contact information for the current group of scholarship holders.

Few foundations specifically support the study of students in special life situations. The search in scholarship databases is often tedious. The "Deutsches Studierendenwerk" has published a new overview of special funding opportunities for students with health impairments.

The "Aufiegsstipendium" (Career Advancement Scholarship) is a funding program of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). It supports skilled workers with vocational training and at least two years of practical experience in pursuing a first higher education degree – either full-time or part-time while continuing to work. In addition to financial support, it also offers non-material support like seminars and regional groups.

The first step to securing a scholarship is an online application. You can submit your application before the start of your studies and up to the end of the second semester. School-leaving qualifications and school grades do not play a role. What matters is your performance in professional practice. Even those who have been part of the workforce for many years can apply.

You must belong to the group of people mentioned in § 8 Paragraph 1 and 2 of the Federal Education and Training Assistance Act (BAföG), which includes German citizenship or the right to permanent residence or a residence permit.

You can find current application deadlines and detailed information at www.sbb-stipendien.de/aufstiegsstipendium.

The Cusanuswerk is an institute of the Catholic Church that provides support to university students and doctoral candidates in all subject fields, in the form of scholarships and extensive educational programs.  Scholarship holders will strengthen their will to take on responsibility and will gain the capability to initiate dialogue between science and faith, between society and the church. Individuals can be recommended to the selection procedure; applicants can also submit independent applications.

Further information can be found on: www.cusanuswerk.de

Liaison lecturer:
apl. Prof. Dr. Marie-Luise Raters
Faculty of Arts, Institute of Philosophy
E-Mail: mlraters@uni-potsdam.de
Tel.: +49 331 977-1335 (Secretary: -1325)

Application requirements:

• Catholic confession: Membership in the Catholic Church, a lived Christian faith and a willingness to participate in shaping the Church. Applicants who belong to a non-united Orthodox or Oriental Orthodox Church may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis
• Outstanding academic performance and interdisciplinary interest
• German citizenship; international students may be admitted to the selection process if they are eligible for funding according to § 8 Paragraph 1-3 of the BAföG
• Proficiency in German at least at level C1

The Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk (ELES) supports particularly talented Jewish students and doctoral candidates. This support is based on engagement and the opportunities that our scholarship holders wil have to develop themselves. We provide intellectual support to strengthen Jewish identity, awareness of responsibility, and the capacity for dialogue. Our scholarship holders are encouraged to help shape the future. Interdisciplinary ELES Colleges offer scholarship holders the opportunity to interact with international students and doctoral candidates from a wide array of fields and to reflect on current themes in the context of our religious traditions. Guest lectures and excursions round out the program.

Further information can be found on: www.ELES-studienwerk.de

The Hamburg-based E.W. Kuhlmann Foundation, which was established in 1997, has developed various programs to help students in their final phase of studies in keeping with its motto "Helping students help themselves."

With its "Studien-Abschluss-Preise" ("Study Completion Awards"), which are drawn by lot, students can receive a bonus for their bachelor's degree (500 euros) or master's degree (1,000 euros). Students may submit their application at www.studien-abschluss-preis.de. 

The "Study Completion Assistance" and the "Rolling Scholarship" provide funding in the form of interest-free loans for five or seven years. In addition, students in need of financial assistance can receive meal vouchers for the respective Association of Student Affairs through the "Freitisch" program. The Kuhlmann Foundation provides 100,000 euros exclusively for this purpose to support students at the University of Potsdam. With this financial support, the E.W. Kuhlmann Foundation wants to make sure that high-achieving students are not prevented from taking their upcoming final exams due to a lack of funds. 65,000 euros will be processed directly through applications to the E.W. Kuhlmann Foundation, while the remaining 35,000 euros will be at the direct disposal of the University of Potsdam for similar, purpose-oriented measures. Part of the money goes to the University of Potsdam's social fund, the other part of the money is used for Potsdam University Scholarships within the framework of the Germany Scholarship ("Deutschlandstipendium").

More information about the Kuhlmann Foundation is available here: www.kuhlmann-stiftung-hamburg.de.

Applications for the Study Completion Awards can be submitted here: www.studien-abschluss-preis.de

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (The Friedrich Ebert Foundation) is the oldest political foundation in Germany. The purpose of their student grant program is to mitigate social disadvantages and to promote people who are committed, now and in the future, to freedom, justice and social cohesion. Funding is granted to talented students and graduates who are dedicated to society and politics. Interested applicants should contact the Foundation directly.

Further information can be found on: www.fes.de

International students:
Excellent proficiency in German (C1 level) must be demonstrated, even if the study program is conducted in English.

The correct time for application:

• Master: before or at the beginning of the first semester of the Master's program
• Bachelor/ State examination: after the first semester and up to three semesters before the end of the regular study period

Liaison lecturer:

Prof. Dr. Andreas Köstler
Faculty of Arts, Department of Arts and Media
E-Mail: andreas.koestleruuni-potsdampde
Tel.: +49 331 977-4174

apl. Prof. Dr. Thomas von Winter
Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, Social Sciences
Administration of the German Bundestag
E-Mail: thomas.von-winter@bundestag.de
Tel.: +49 30 227-37839

The scholarship is primarily aimed at female students and parents who have taken a break from their studies due to family reasons. It also supports individuals in extreme social need, often in conjunction with multiple burdens.

You will find more information on the funding criteria here.

Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung (The Hanns Seidel Foundation) is committed to providing intellectual and financial support for the cultivation of young academics who have high scientific and personal qualifications. Applications are welcome from students and doctoral candidates who have delivered above-average performances in their studies while being socially and politically engaged at the same time, and who act from a basic foundation of Christian social principles.

Support for international students/PhD candidates: German language skills of at least B2 or a comparable level.

Further information can be found on: www.hss.de
 

The KAAD has different scholarship programs available that apply to students, coming from in a developing or emerging country in Africa, Asia, the Middle East or Latin America, students from the Global South or from Eastern Europe. Scholarship applications can be made exclusively through the Catholic University Chaplaincies (KHG or KSG) at your university location.

Application Requirements:

• Studying in a master’s degree (application possible in the final semesters of the Bachelor's degree).
• an above-average performance potential for studies or research,
• Catholic denomination (or generally belong to a Christian denomination, especially for applicants from the Near and Middle East). Applicants of another religion can be funded if they are proposed by Catholic partners in view of a documentable willingness to engage in interreligious dialogue.
• German language skills of at least level B1 (or at least A2 in the case of English-language degree programmes) for participation in our compulsory educational programme. Preparatory German courses in the home country are expected.

You can find more information here.

Otto-Benecke-Stiftung (The Otto Benecke Foundation) is a charitable organization that was founded in 1965 upon the initiative of the German Student Association at the Technical University of Berlin. The Foundation works on behalf of the German federal government. In the context of humanitarian educational aid, the Foundation performs integration activities for immigrants, quota refugees and foreigners entitled to asylum who want to begin or continue a course of higher education in the Federal Republic of Germany, or who are university graduates looking for employment opportunities that are equal to their qualifications.

Further information can be found on: www.obs-ev.de

The SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students supports talented young people from abroad who have already shown social commitment and who use the skills they have acquired during their studies during and after their studies in social projects at a non-profit/social organization in their home countries.

Requirements for the SBW Berlin scholarship for international students:

• Professional or volunteer experience in the non-profit/social sector (supported by letters of recommendation from the social institution or non-profit organization)
• Have demonstrably not resided in Germany for more than 18 months prior to application
• Intention to work for at least 18 months in the country of origin after graduation or to engage in charitable activities in Germany until the repayment plan is fulfilled
• Proven relatively low net income 
• Average grade equivalent to a German grade point average of at least 2.0
• No first-degree family members permanently residing in Germany

Expectation: Proactive development of social projects during the study period and writing of project reports.

Further information can be found here.

Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft (The Foundation of the German Economy) supports students and doctoral candidates in all subjects who have leadership potential in the economy and society. The Foundation promotes personal initiative and creative drive. University students who are studying to become teachers receive special support in the “Preparatory College” program. Unsolicited applications are welcome.

Study scholarship: Eligible applicants are German first-year students and students, as well as international students who are eligible for funding according to § 8 Paragraph 1-3 of the BAföG. Proficiency in German at least at level C1.

Further information can be found on: www.sdw.org

Liaison lecturer:

Prof. Dr. Katharina Wrohlich
Professur für Öffentliche Finanzen, Gender- und Familienökonomie
Website

Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (The German National Academic Foundation ) is Germany’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to promoted gifted students. According to the organization’s charter, it promotes “the university education of young people whose scholarly or artistic talents, and whose personality, permits us to expect special achievements in the service of the common good.” The Foundation’s funding program enables scientific specialization, interdisciplinary dialogue, openness to the world, and international experience. Selection and funding are done independently of political, ideological or religious concerns. Unsolicited applications are possible.

At the beginning of each year, motivated first-year students are warmly invited to apply for a scholarship. Everything you need to know about self-application can be found here.

Scholarships for students: International students are eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Study Foundation or be nominated for one if they hold the citizenship of a member state of the EU or an EU accession candidate or are eligible for funding according to § 8 Paragraph 1-3 of the BAföG.

Further information can be found on: www.studienstiftung.de

Lead liaison lecturer:
Prof. Dr. Carsten Beta
Faculty of Science, Institute of Physics and Astronomy
E-Mail: biophysuuni-potsdampde
Tel.: +49 331 977-5651

Prof. Dr. Peter Saalfrank
Faculty of Science, Institute of Chemistry
Tel.: +49 331 977-5232

Prof. Dr. Anna H. Albrecht
Law Faculty
Tel.: +49 331 977-3783

Prof. Dr. Bert Arnrich
Digital Engineering Faculty
Tel.: +49 331 5509-4850

Prof. Dr. Felicitas Krämer
Faculty of Arts, Institute of Philosophy
Tel.: +49 331 977-1801

Prof. Dr. Dr. Michael Rapp
Faculty of Human Science, Intra-Faculty Unit „Cognitive Science“, PhD in Medicine and Psychology
Tel.: +49 331 977-4095